Leeds Rugby groundsman and Everris share best practice message in Italy

Jason Booth, Head Groundsman at Leeds Rugby, visited Impianti Sportivi La Ghirada in Treviso, Italy recently to speak at a two day event focusing on best practice in turf management.

He was asked by Everris Italia (formerly named Scotts) to share his experiences of managing the playing surface at Headingley Carnegie Stadium with over 30 contractors and landscapers on the first day, and more than 40 rugby groundsmen on the second.

Jason, who recently completed a Degree in Sports Surface Management at Askham Bryan College, has overseen the turf at Leeds which is used for both codes of rugby, for the past 15 years.

The event culminated in a visit to the Stadio Comunale di Monigo to see Benetton Treviso take on Llanelli Scarlets in a RaboDirect PRO12 fixture.

Speaking after the event, Jason commented: "I'm confident from the reaction of the attendees that the event highlighted what can be achieved with the correct techniques complemented by use of the right products. Everris, through its iTurf integrated turf management programme, is a great advocate for best practice in turf management. As groundsmen we learn through sharing experiences and events such as this can only be a good thing for the turf management industry in Italy."